The 24-year-old Brazilian would be a worthy addition to the Gunners’ back-line as manager Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen an area of the pitch that has suffered from injuries and suspensions this season.

And while Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers are all fit and available once more, Arsenal would be wise to strengthen while they can as the head into the business-end of the campaign.

The latest report from Marca claims Villarreal have begun to feel it will be difficult to keep Paulista and are said to be seeking out potential replacements, while it goes on to claim the Spanish side intends to get all it can for the player from any negotiations that take place.

The alleged Arsenal target has a €20million release-clause but Marca claim Villarreal could ultimately allow him to go for less once they have considered the value of potential alternatives.

The news is good for those Arsenal fans hoping their club follows up the recent signing of Krystian Bielik with a quality defensive reinforcement.

But with time running out in the January window, it could go down to the wire.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent. After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.